Music: Beauty, Truth and Emotion

Hello once more my fellow blogtonians! (I will copy write that cheeky phrase later)

So once more, I am feeling obliged to write a blog, on a subject which is widely debated around the world at every moment. Music. Now I understand that this is only my 3rd post, and many will be judging the audacity and overconfidence i am portraying here in my attempt to not only define music, but also state that music makes us who we are…

So, with a bottle of Becks and chicken Pasta to help me get through the night after a hard days work (ok the last bit may be a bit of  lie) what else do you need to relax? TV? Laptop? Sure sounds good, however i am schtuck (no, not a typo).. whether to listen to music on the box or from my iTunes. From a personal level, music is the ultimate judgement of one’s persona. It defines our everyday life and ways we think.. For instance, today before my workout in the gym, i listened to a vary of Rock, Metal, and generally anything that gets me pumping and ready for the never ending battle of maintaining this gorgeous body i possess. Ha. And now after a gruelling gym session the focal point of my musical interest is one of relaxation.. naturally hits such as ‘Drops of Jupiter’, ‘Iris’, ‘Raining on Sunday’ take me away as i sit on my couch and make a wonderfully embedded print of my entire body featuring within. What is it with music that can define our everyday thoughts, feelings, even life?

Personally, as one can only speak of subjects as such in particular, it all depends on what the day brings. If I’m looking to relax, i like to have a song with lyrics that make you realise certain things, feel a particular way. If I’m looking to rock out/party whatever you kids use these days, its all about the instrumental. As simple as it seems, you wouldn’t really look to listen to Keith Urban’s ‘You’ll Think Of Me’ before you ‘get on it like sonic’ (party in layman’s terms) yet more along the lines of Yellowcards ‘Light Up The Sky’ simply because it gets me ready for a night, excites, arouses, envigours. Although a simple terminology, and something that doesn’t take a genuis to figure (evidentially) the question arises why? Why does music control our minds in the way it does. Is it our upbringing, do we look to stereotypical views, or is that now too narrow minded to be considered? Is it dependable upon pop culture, and influences. For example, if heavy metal was never invented would there be the ‘gothic’ stereotype. Before any Goths comment, i am a big fan of metal, i am only using this as an example, please don’t put me under a curse, i have BFMV, MCR, Disturbed, Ozzy, Iron Maiden all featuring on my iTunes. The point i am trying (desperately I know) to point out, is that if there was no Manson etc. would there be the ‘dark’ era? Does musical taste define modern culture, or does modern culture define music?

My first record i bought was when i was around 8 years old, and was Hanson’s Middle of Nowhere, yes we all fall into the trap of ‘cheese’, but it still brings a smile to my face whenever it comes on at the SU. Since then culture changed to a rap phenomenon, and whilst everyone was buying Marshal Mathers Cd’s I on the other hand didn’t sell out… ok i did, i followed the crowd, and became cool when i bought not only Eminem, but also artists such as 2pac, Biggy Smalls, and thing from the unit of the G.

Though i still enjoy that genre, we move on along with out lives and find a new genre to adore and invest in. Rock music such as Sum41, Good Charlotte, Blink 182 and other punk bands emerged, so did the Mohawks and sputnik hairstyles around my high school… and of course, yes you guessed it, the straight edged writer of your truly sported an over-gelled barnet. Now, at 20, my musical taste has become more expandable and susceptible to all genres of music, and maybe a better understanding and acceptance of culture. It seems that now my musical conpradres and I, have devoured our own sense of music, and the debate of whose musical taste is better is often a featuring topic. From my perspective, in case you wondered (which if you don’t I’m still putting out there) ranges from Country (Keith Urban, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts), Rock (Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith), Metal (Fightstar, Fozzy, Motorhead) , Easy Listening (Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Frou Frou), and Acoustic (Joshua Radin, Colbie Callait, Jason Mraz), to name a few. I think most people who come into their own sense of life, understand the concept and beauty of music. Situations arise and people are introduced to new things everyday at every moment. With music playing a huge role in life you are inevitably going to change your taste, just as you change who you are. Give me a day in a persons life and i guarantee that over 90% of people listen to music everyday. Driving to work, working out, even from the neighbours car, and most of the music you hear catches your attention, it excites the mind, personifies the moment.

When listening to the sound of music, the ability it possesses is truly remarkable (no, not the movie my young grasshoppers!)  Music is a personal message, maybe also a reflection on where your life is at – past, present and future. Whatever the meaning, concept, or overall attitude music presents to you, you listen. And that my friends, is the true beauty and definition of music, the emotion it allows you to feel, the message it portrays to you, the inspiration it radiates through your mind, body and soul. Music can define emotion in a way speech or action simply can not. Love is defined in so many records, the sheer presence of a love song ultimately gives added meaning and proverb to your life. We trust in music, put faith in our heroes, and listen to the endless words of wisdom. I believe music has the faculty and power to guide you, you realise that the light doesn’t blind you, it just help you see. A simple musical message can turn your life around when you least expect it when you become inspired, because that is what music does, it simply inspires the uninspired.

100 Caps For Beckham: The Public, The Manager, The Conclusion…

100 Caps For Beckham: The Public, The Manager, The Conclusion…
Written by Ritchie Slack

The new era for the present disillusioned England side began with a narrowing win against a less than par Switzerland side. Capello, however did deliver something England fans would have thrived to see, a win.  However enlivening the appointment of Fabio Capello is, one man stands at the pinnacle of focus, that man is David Beckham.
The former England captain has, and forever will be at the centre of attention as long as his international career continues. The name solely in itself polarises opinion. Often seen as black and white, the saga of David Beckham’s career is undeniably a contrast of peoples views and credence.
When discussing the illustrious career of David Beckham many things are considered; whether it be the inspirational performance against Greece, which propelled England to the World Cup Finals in 2002, or the passion, commitment, and class David Beckham shows on and off the pitch. Yet Capello’s main line of reason is that of reality: if he is the best man for the job, the job is his
Capello has already shown that he has the authority to drop Beckham’s legacy like a bad habit after excluding him from his former Real Madrid, and England side. Yet Capello also showed great courage and valour in recalling Beckham in desperate needs, eventually resulting in him playing an integral part of delivering the La Liga title to Capello.
The public’s rally to support Beckham during the era of McClaren, who shunned Beckham out of his squad, should be noted in high value, and something for Capello to consider. As seen in the opening half of the Italian’s career, fans could be heard roaring ‘There’s only one David Beckham’ as David Bentley’s crossing and free-kick taking was not up to the Beckham standard. Like McClaren, Capello may fear the public‘s voice. Although never bitter, Beckham once again will strive to prove his enormity, and possibly like in the reign of McClaren he will light the stage of world football once more.
At 32, many feel Beckham lacks the pace and flair of Shaun Wright-Phillips or David Bentley, and label him as a mere shadow of his former fitness. Yet if we had 11 David Beckham’s you know that we would have 11 men who would play with more burning desire than the nation fielded against Croatia and Switzerland. Beckham will play with fire in his body; with flames exhilarating his passion and desire. Give me 100 reasons for David Beckham to feature in the England squad, but show me the focal point of the true sentiment within his character, and you will find the underlining reason for his inclusion is his personality. The passion that drives him to be everything he is, is the truth behind the lie. As stated previously many England fans see Beckham in black or white, either he is the England saviour, or just a man living on a legacy.
For Capello, the task he must now focus on, is the prodigal myth of David Beckham and the 100th cap. But, just like in Madrid, and last week at Wembley, he has the choice to include him, and grant him an honour of further recognition and prestige, or prove that a legacy is only as good as its narrative. Either way it shall end in tears: as such things always do.

The Refurb of Blogging

Hello there!!

In honesty, i was encouraged to begin a blog from a fellow journalism student and close friend (also many lecturers along the way, funny that i only started one when my friend did). The idea of blogging never really intersted me an awful lot at the start of my first semester at the University of Winchester, however after developing a potential ‘knack’ and enjoyment in talking about absolutely anything to anybody who is willing (some also unwilling) to listen, i decided that ‘blogging’ was a great way to continue my skills at writing, and communication .. also the benefactor of being able to notify the world wide web with any issues that arise within interest, and also without.
As i was saying the idea of blogging didn’t fully appeal to me, my lecture is very encouraging on the matter, as he inspired us with the idea of blogging every single thought that entered our ever growing minds i began to wonder about whether or not i really want to publicise every thought that occured.. i was certain people didn’t want to read my views on the debate of John Rzeznik being the greatest rock star of all time (believe me, i have tried countless times to justify my reasoning’s, and nobody seems to understand the great one).
Anyway as i mentioned, I am studying a degree in journalism at the University of Winchester (England), and have just completed my first year. All in all i found it was highly interesting/entertaining and often resulted in mass alcohol consuming, honesty I’m told, is the best policy when it comes to blogging. I am highly interested/active in sports, partaking in University Rugby, swimming (seeing as i am a part-time lifeguard i think i should attempt to swim a length every now and then), weight-lifting a few hundred kilograms in the gymnasium, and of course, the nations favourite sport… no not cricket, football (soccer to our native cousins). I also share my great love of sports for music, mainly bands such as The Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Keith Urban, and many other artists and genres of the music industry.
So, my first ever blog, fair enough i should have probably started this around a year ago, but here it is, hope I didn’t overdo the introduction of my life, and if i did, you probably wouldn’t have got this far to read the apology anyway…

Your new blogging friend,
Ritchie Slack

Internet Freezes Out High-Street

Online shopping seems to have taken the high-street stores into slight recession, successfully making massive profit on the internet, while the traditional high-street suffers. What does this mean for Winchester’s high-street stores, can they compete with the World Wide Web, or are they dwindling under the click of a mouse?

The internet seems the more convenient place to purchase things from food to CD’s, boasting a 350% increase of online shopping in the past 5 years, according to an IRGM study. Another study by retail analyst Verdict Research has found that, for the first time in twenty years the amount of money spent by families in the high street has fallen. Total spending on the high street dipped to £122billion as online spending increased to £8billion. With high-profile stores such as HMV, Tescos, River Island and more all offering a service on the internet, as well as within the city centre, it seems that more people find the internet a better way to shop.            

With online shopping booming around the UK, Winchester have changed their outlook on grocery stores in the city. Retailers also responded to stricter planning controls by changing their trading formats. For example, some major food operators have introduced smaller store formats capable of being accommodated within town centers, such as the Tesco Metro and Sainsbury Central/Local store formats. Stores efforts to place smaller centres in the city were to underline convenience, allowing customers to shop for other needs, as well as grocery shopping. Sainsbury and Iceland in the city are purposely situated near the bus/taxi stops to increase the convenience of the customer. The matter of convenience was a major fact of the initial boom of internet shopping, as many people would prefer home delivery than hauling carrier bags about.             Online prices are also a huge factor for purchasing goods, as site such as Play and Amazon offering free delivery, and lower prices on many products, and usually have an increased availability on products, ranging from CD’s, books, DVDs, and games. Retail stores such as HMV and WHSmith in the city centre are the main target area affected.            

Craig Lynch (21), a student at the University of Winchester stated he preferred to click away his earnings, with the main benefactor being ‘highly convenient to have goods delivered to your door, rather than carry bags around all day.’ Another student Daniel Callan (19) said ’more often that not, the products online are cheaper than high-street retailers.’           

It appears that the passion for street shopping sprees are second best behind the power of technology. However a silver lining emerges, as ‘the high-street offers the option of seeing clothes properly, such as how they fit, and what outfits looks like before you buy them. Also shopping is fun!’ stated Stevie-Anne Porter, a sales-assistant at GAP clothing stores.            

Although its seems that high-street stores are staring into a bleak future, a glimmer of hope radiates through traditional views, and values. But is this enough to save the high-street?